Who they care for

The home specialises in caring for adults over 65, with particular expertise in dementia support. Respite stays require a minimum seven-day booking, allowing time for proper settling-in and care planning.

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Who they care for

• {"_thumbnail_id":"378853","county":"Herefordshire","_county":"field_6984c81707f16","postcode":"HR8 2XW","_postcode":"field_6984c857ad520","headline":"Dedicated nursing home Support in Ledbury","_headline":"field_6984c8d0ad52b","description":"Deer Park Care Home is a care home near Ledbury in the West Midlands. Where respite stays become cherished routines for families","_description":"field_6984c901ad530","gmb_name":"Deer Park Care Home","_gmb_name":"field_6984c92ead532","gmb_address":"\ue0c8\nMartins Way, Ledbury HR8 2XW","_gmb_address":"field_6984c936ad533","gmb_phone":"01531 800615","_gmb_phone":"field_6984c97aad537","gmb_star_rating":"4.8","_gmb_star_rating":"field_6984c98cad539","copy_headline":"Where respite stays become cherished routines for families","_copy_headline":"field_6984c9b4ad53c","stage":"3.0","_stage":"field_6984c9bcad53d","gmb_business":"Nursing home","_gmb_business":"field_69a771cc07ed9","copy_intro":"Families seeking respite care often worry about disrupting established routines, but Deer Park Care Home in Ledbury has built its reputation on making temporary stays feel reassuring and familiar. The purpose-built home welcomes residents for both short breaks and longer-term care, with a particular focus on supporting those living with dementia. Set in the West Midlands countryside, the home combines professional healthcare standards with the warmth of a welcoming community space.","_copy_intro":"field_69a7744107eda","copy_facilities":"The bistro serves as both dining room and social hub, with the chef adapting meals for specific dietary needs without fuss. Rooms are notably spacious with plenty of natural light, and the building's modern design prioritises both safety and style. The home hosts everything from craft sessions to sensory activities, with visiting professionals from hairdressers to massage therapists adding variety to daily life.","_copy_facilities":"field_69a7745807edc","copy_management":"Staff consistency shines through in how they handle both planned activities and spontaneous moments of care. Families describe seamless communication during the assessment process and appreciate how the team remembers preferences across multiple stays. The home coordinates smoothly with external healthcare professionals and support groups, creating a collaborative approach that families find reassuring.","_copy_management":"field_69a7746a07edd","copy_specialisms":"The home specialises in caring for adults over 65, with particular expertise in dementia support. Respite stays require a minimum seven-day booking, allowing time for proper settling-in and care planning.","_copy_specialisms":"field_69a7747507ede","copy_closing":"Monthly open days give families a chance to explore before making any decisions \u2014 a thoughtful touch that speaks to the home's confidence in what they offer.","_copy_closing":"field_69a7749607ee0","address_1":"Martins Way","_address_1":"field_6984c77407f13","address_2":"Off Leadon Way","_address_2":"field_6984c77f07f14","town_city":"Ledbury","_town_city":"field_6984c78607f15","local_authority":"Herefordshire","_local_authority":"field_6984c86cad522","cqc_report_date":"2025-04-07T11:35:51Z","_cqc_report_date":"field_6984c87aad523","service_type":"Nursing home","_service_type":"field_6984c89fad527","cqc_link":"https:\/\/www.cqc.org.uk\/location\/1-12470851149","_cqc_link":"field_6984c886ad524","sitelink":"https:\/\/www.porthaven.co.uk\/deer-park-ledbury\/","_sitelink":"field_6984c8a6ad528","service_provider":"Porthaven Care Homes No 3 Limited","_service_provider":"field_6984c8adad529","regional_location":"West Midlands","_regional_location":"field_6984c8bbad52a","gmb_image":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/p\/AF1QipOZaNN-4JtMOtUJNn6qRGo_F0EFaaYmTPJRnkzm","_gmb_image":"field_6984c8f2ad52e","gmb_link":"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Deer+Park+Care+Home\/@52.0280997,-2.4304938,17z\/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x487055392e9faa89:0x5d8cae2275d3c1df!8m2!3d52.0280997!4d-2.4304938!16s%2Fg%2F11p5n9xqf0","_gmb_link":"field_6984c913ad531","dementia":"1.0","_dementia":"field_6984c93dad534","cqc_rating":"Good","_cqc_rating":"field_6984c948ad535","cqc_score":"2.0","_cqc_score":"field_6984c96bad536","star_rating_count":"20.0","_star_rating_count":"field_6984c9aaad53b","copy_what_people_say":"What strikes families most is how staff encourage residents to join in at their own pace, particularly those living with dementia who might feel overwhelmed in new surroundings. The spacious layout helps residents navigate independently, while personal touches in bedrooms \u2014 from familiar photographs to cherished ornaments \u2014 create comfort from day one. Regular events like garden parties and cinema afternoons mean families stay connected even during respite periods.","_copy_what_people_say":"field_69a7744a07edb","copy_dementia_":"Staff understand the importance of routine and familiarity for people living with dementia, using the home's clear layout and consistent daily structure to reduce anxiety. Activities are adapted so that everyone can participate meaningfully, whether through sensory sessions or simply enjoying the garden.","_copy_dementia_":"field_69a7748807edf","postcode_relationship":"16106","_postcode_relationship":"field_69bb02cad9442","latitude":"52.028794","_latitude":"field_69875b180a63e","longitude":"-2.428821","_longitude":"field_69875b210a63f","gmb_email":"","_gmb_email":"field_6984c985ad538","review_data":"[Saraya Cortaville] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: We had the pleasure of taking our converted horse box and preparing freshly made pizzas, garlic breads, and salads for a staff appreciation day. What a lovely day, and wonderful experience! The weather could'nt have been better, Vivian and the whole team made us feel so welcome from the moment we arrived. The staff were warm and clearly care deeply about what they do! It was a real joy to be part of such a lovely celebration of their hard work! Thank you for having us, see all your lovely smily faces soon :) All the best, Saraya and Paul x | [J W] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: Mum has now had enjoyed two short respites with Deer Park in September and November. Luckily she was able to stay in the same room as her earlier visit, which provided tremendous familiarity. The room itself was spacious, comfortable and beautifully decorated, catering for all of her needs. There were a few picture hooks in the wall ready to hang some of her cherished photo frames and plenty of surfaces to display her personal belongings, making the whole experience feel like home from home. The reminder list of items to consider packing prior to any stay was extremely useful. And the seamless process, including the assessment prior to each stay, gave me reassurance that Mum would be receiving the correct, personalized care package. Thank you to all the staff for making Mum feel so welcome, special and cared for. With gentle encouragement, no doubt, Mum felt confident to use the communal lounge area and facilities. It is fair to say that all of Mum's visitors were impressed with Deer Park and the wonderful, friendly & caring staff. She loved showing her visitors around the grounds, with lots remarking on how they would feel happy staying in such luxurious, comfortable and safe surroundings themselves! Mum particularly loved the food at meal times. Having tasted some of the treats in the bistro and on open days I couldn't agree more! The weekly activities agenda is super and I understand that the staff encourage participation so that no one feels excluded. Thank you Deer Park Family! Mum looking forward to her next mini holiday with you next year. I cannot recommend this home enough to anyone caring for a loved one but has reservations about taking the first step in finding respite or something more permanent. | [Ian C] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: This review relates to my wife's experiences at Deer Park with her mother : I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this home. It has proved to be a real answer to prayer! Having relocated to Herefordshire to have my mother come and live with us has been one of the most difficult challenges we have had to face. We have been looking for somewhere suitable for my mother to enjoy some respite. Deer Park was the only location which offered 7 days as a minimum stay. This is a beautiful purpose built environment, where residents can navigate around safely. Not only does the appearance lend itself to something out of a style magazine, but the facilities and ambience is one of tranquility. The staff who work here are absolutely tremendous. To say they are all helpful, kind, personable and caring is an understatement. You can see that they genuinely care about the residents and their families. Deer Park is also unique in that it opens its doors to the community on what appears to be a monthly basis. This allows potential residents to become acquainted with staff, surroundings and residents. We have been to various different events, including a Marie Curie fundraiser, live folk band, garden party with guest animals, cinema afternoon and 1940's Afternoon Tea with brass band. All of which have helped my mother feel at home whenever we visit. We cannot thank you enough or recommend Deer Park highly enough as a place you can call home. | [Mariana Watts] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: I went to Deer Park Care Home this morning, to give a talk about my chocolate making. Truly overwhelmed by the warmth and kindness of the management and staff. I think that the residents who were present at the talk and chocolate tasting have enjoyed themselves. I was amazed to see how many other interesting activities are organised for the residents and their families. Deer Park Care Home is an asset to our community, thank you very much for having me! | [Andy Nicholson] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: Looking at Care Homes for my mum (who has dementia) and this one stands out from the rest. They have been very welcoming to my mum with special mention to Vivienne and Paula who not only is a top notch hairdresser but made my mum feel totally at ease. Extremely professional and welcoming. | [Paula Bessant] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: I visit Deer Park home twice weekly to deliver hairdressing, barbering, beauty and aromatherapy within the beautiful well equipped salon situated in this most beautiful home. When I arrive Laura on reception always greets me with a smile and asks if I would like a coffee, it is these little things that mean so much. I feel very much part of the team and that again is a lovely feeling. Sara (administrator) is so thoughtful and understanding to the residents needs which is often seen while preparing coffee or tea for families and resident's within the bistro, nothing is ever too much trouble and is always on hand if you have any queries. Viv (CSM) always keeps me in the loop with new residency so I can introduce myself, and is always available if I have a query. Sarah Activities manager structures the activities to all the residents bringing together a wide range of interests, past, present and introducing new hobbies. These activities are delivered by Sarah and her fantastic team Alisa and Gordon empowering residents to enjoy, engage and build friendships within. The care team are amazing! The care shown is delivered with such kindness, empathy and understanding which I see and feel. The whole home approach from all the staff is full of love, compassion laughter and fun. | [Sarah Edwards] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: The Deer Park Care Home host a monthly Parkinsons Support group for me (Deer park PALS). It is s wonderful, I don't know where to start! Working with Viv on the planning has been a delight, her kindness and professional approach has been comforting, reassuring and a credit to Porthaven. All of the staff have welcomed us and offered exceptional support. The environment is perfect for this monthly event and the cakes are fantastic with Dom the chef offering additional gluten free and low sugar options. Nothing is too much trouble for them. Thank you Deer park. | [Sally Parfett] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: I visit Deer Park twice a week to treat residents with specific massage treatments. There is always a smile and a warm greeting from the reception team on arrival. I enjoy my time there, such a warm atmosphere with a variety of activities going on each day for residents to join in with organised by the leisure and wellbeing team! Infact, I often have to book my appointments around the busy social lives of all the residents! The quiet lounge areas and sensory sessions are a wonderful compliment to my treatments too which is a huge benefit to the mental wellbeing of all the residents. Thank you for having me at your beautiful home. | [lynne Elliott] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: I visited the home for the first time last week and found the staff so welcoming, helpful and friendly. The home definitely has the wow factor. Its decoration and furnishings are of an extremely high standard, the garden is well presented and a home that you definitely want to visit. | [Mark Bousfield] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: My wife and I came to your garden jamboree on Friday as our daughter had seen it advertised on local Malvern facebook group. Having booked on to it a couple of weeks ago with Vivienne and seen the awful weather on Friday I contacted her that morning to ask if it was still going ahead – as we live in Malvern we weren't sure if Ledbury would have the same rain. She reassured me that the event would now take place inside and my wife and I were overwhlemed with the friendly reception we received when we arrived. Deer Park is clearly well versed in dealing with challenging situations and we both very much enyoyed the afternoon – for us the highlight was Terry the tortoise | [Zareen Kiani] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: This Care Home was lovely and clean. The staff were all friendly . The manager Anna was very hospitable and made us feel very welcome. Thank you so much to the whole team at Deer Park Care Home. | [Nicola Hardy] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: So happy we found Deer park for our mother who moved here a month ago, Thank you to all the lovely staff who have shown her such compassion, her health and wellbeing has improved 100% since moving here. The answer to our prayers \ud83d\ude4f Thank you all so much \u2026 | [Carol Leigh] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: This place looks lovely. Its spacious and light and has several areas for residents to chill out or to dine, plus a private dining room for family meals if your relative doesn't travel. The staff have been incredibly helpful in what is a difficult time for us. | [Harry Keeling] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: I can\u2019t believe I\u2019m in a care home. It\u2019s more like a five star hotel in the quality of the accommodation, rest and relax areas and the cinema is great for watching sports and wildlife programs. The standard of food preparation and presentation is excellent. All the staff are so friendly and genuinely care for their residents. My only complaint is that I\u2019m too young and healthy to be allowed a residency. \ud83d\udc4d\ud83d\udc4d\ud83d\udc4d\ud83d\udc4d\ud83d\udc4d | [Lorraine Wadley] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: Thank you to the staff of deer park for assisting a non resident, providing free essential items in their hour of need, great community spirit. | [Zo Phillips] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: Beautiful decor ,friendly, caring staff | [ibnul sayed] 1\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: Spoke to Sara, absolutley rude and hang up the phone on me before I could finish. | [John Jennings] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: Very good care | [Elaine Ratcliffe] 5\u2605 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838 \ue838: Deer Park was easy to find. We received a warm welcome along with a cuppa and fresh homemade cookies in their beautiful Bistro area. The carefully chosen decor and garden make the place very homely.","_review_data":"field_69ca61fad6d61","specialisms":"2","_specialisms":"field_6984c896ad526","specialisms_0_specialism_name":"Dementia","_specialisms_0_specialism_name":"field_69873d768bae1","specialisms_1_specialism_name":"Caring for adults over 65 yrs","_specialisms_1_specialism_name":"field_69873d768bae1","features":"1","_features":"field_6984c9c6ad53e","features_0_featurename":"Friendly\/Welcoming","_features_0_featurename":"field_69873d298bae0","cqcbc_location_id":"1-12470851149","cqcbc_provider_id":"1-5458053592","cqcbc_provider_name":"Deer Park Care Home","cqcbc_brand_name":"BRAND Porthaven Care Homes","cqcbc_local_authority":"Herefordshire, County of","cqcbc_address_line1":"Martins Way","cqcbc_town_city":"Ledbury","cqcbc_county":"","cqcbc_region":"West Midlands","cqcbc_postcode":"HR8 2XW","cqcbc_latitude":"","cqcbc_longitude":"","cqcbc_phone":"08081786565","cqcbc_website":"www.porthaven.co.uk","cqcbc_registration_status":"Registered","cqcbc_registration_date":"2022-02-07","cqcbc_dormancy":"N","cqcbc_number_of_beds":"64","cqcbc_service_type":"Nursing homes","cqcbc_specialisms":"Caring for adults over 65 yrs, Dementia","cqcbc_regulated_activities":"Accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care, Treatment of disease, disorder or injury","cqcbc_overall_rating":"Good","cqcbc_overall_report_date":"","cqcbc_overall_report_link_id":"","cqcbc_rating_safe":"Good","cqcbc_rating_effective":"Good","cqcbc_rating_caring":"Good","cqcbc_rating_responsive":"Good","cqcbc_rating_well_led":"Good","cqcbc_previous_overall_rating":"","cqcbc_rating_trend":"stable","cqcbc_inspection_count":"0","cqcbc_last_report_date":"2025-01-13","cqcbc_last_inspection_date":"2025-01-13","cqcbc_latest_report_link_id":"","cqcbc_fetched_at":"2026-05-07 01:04:21","cqcbc_family_score":"55","cqcbc_score_staff_warmth":"55","cqcbc_score_compassion_dignity":"55","cqcbc_score_resident_happiness":"55","cqcbc_score_cleanliness":"55","cqcbc_score_management_leadership":"60","cqcbc_score_activities_engagement":"55","cqcbc_score_food_quality":"50","cqcbc_score_healthcare":"55","cqcbc_score_explanation":"Deer Park Care Home was rated Good across all five inspection domains, but the published report contains very limited specific detail, so scores reflect that rating without the direct observations, quotes, or examples that would push them higher. The figures here represent a solid baseline that warrants verification on a personal visit.","cqcbc_checklist_verified":"[{\"title\":\"Visible, approachable management\",\"detail\":\"The inspection identifies a named registered manager (Lisa Sharon Soper) and a nominated individual, indicating a clear leadership structure was in place and confirmed as part of the Good well-led rating.\",\"source\":\"Inspection report, registration details\"}]","cqcbc_checklist_mentioned":"[{\"title\":\"Staff described as warm and welcoming\",\"detail\":\"The home received a Good rating in the Caring domain, which covers staff warmth and dignity, but no specific inspector observations or quotes are recorded in the published findings.\",\"source\":\"Inspection domain rating\"},{\"title\":\"Compassion and dignity respected\",\"detail\":\"A Good Caring rating indicates inspectors were satisfied with dignity and respect standards, though no specific examples or direct observations are recorded in the available report text.\",\"source\":\"Inspection domain rating\"},{\"title\":\"Care plans reflect individual preferences\",\"detail\":\"A Good Effective rating suggests care planning was found to be satisfactory, but no detail about care plan content, review frequency, or family involvement is recorded in the published findings.\",\"source\":\"Inspection domain rating\"},{\"title\":\"Staffing levels adequate\",\"detail\":\"Safe was rated Good, which typically requires staffing to be assessed as adequate, but no staffing numbers, rotas, or specific observations are recorded in the available report text.\",\"source\":\"Inspection domain rating\"},{\"title\":\"Staff trained in dementia care\",\"detail\":\"The home lists dementia as a specialism and received a Good Effective rating, but no specific detail about dementia training content, frequency, or assessment is recorded in the published findings.\",\"source\":\"Inspection domain rating\"},{\"title\":\"Home learns from incidents\",\"detail\":\"A Good Safe rating generally requires evidence of learning from incidents, but no specific examples of incident review, action taken, or improvement cycles are recorded in the published findings.\",\"source\":\"Inspection domain rating\"},{\"title\":\"Healthcare access (GP, medication)\",\"detail\":\"The home provides nursing care and holds a Good Effective rating, suggesting healthcare access and medicines management were satisfactory, but no specific observations or records are cited.\",\"source\":\"Inspection domain rating\"},{\"title\":\"Varied activity programme\",\"detail\":\"A Good Responsive rating suggests activities provision was satisfactory, but no specific activities, schedules, or tailored engagement examples are recorded in the published findings.\",\"source\":\"Inspection domain rating\"},{\"title\":\"Families welcomed\",\"detail\":\"No specific evidence about family involvement, visiting arrangements, or communication is recorded in the published findings, though the overall Good rating implies no concerns were raised.\",\"source\":\"Inspection domain rating\"}]","cqcbc_checklist_not_assessed":"[{\"title\":\"Staff respond to distress appropriately\",\"detail\":\"Not covered in the published inspection findings. Ask to observe or speak with staff about how they support someone who becomes distressed or anxious.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"},{\"title\":\"Residents not rushed\",\"detail\":\"Not covered in the published inspection findings. Observe the pace of interactions between staff and the people who live there during your visit, particularly at mealtimes and personal care times.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"},{\"title\":\"Good food quality with choice\",\"detail\":\"Not covered in the published inspection findings. Ask to see a week's menu, ask who decides what is on it, and if possible arrange a visit at lunchtime.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"},{\"title\":\"Clean, hygienic premises\",\"detail\":\"Not covered in the published inspection findings. Walk through the home on your visit and check odour, cleanliness of communal areas, and whether bathrooms appear well maintained.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"},{\"title\":\"Dementia-friendly environment\",\"detail\":\"Not covered in the published inspection findings. Ask how the layout supports orientation, whether signage and colour contrast are used to help people find their way, and how the home reduces anxiety through its physical environment.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"},{\"title\":\"End-of-life plans in place\",\"detail\":\"Not covered in the published inspection findings. Ask whether the home has an advance care planning process and how they work with families when a person's needs change at end of life.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"},{\"title\":\"Communication with families\",\"detail\":\"Not covered in the published inspection findings. Ask how often you would receive updates, who your main contact would be, and what happens if you have a concern outside office hours.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"},{\"title\":\"Care plan review frequency\",\"detail\":\"Not covered in the published inspection findings. Ask how often care plans are formally reviewed and whether families are invited to take part in those reviews.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"},{\"title\":\"Night staffing numbers\",\"detail\":\"Not covered in the published inspection findings. Ask specifically how many carers and how many senior or nursing staff are on duty overnight for the 64 beds.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"},{\"title\":\"Agency staff usage\",\"detail\":\"Not covered in the published inspection findings. Ask what proportion of shifts last month were covered by permanent staff versus agency staff, and whether agency workers are given an induction before working with people who have dementia.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"},{\"title\":\"Outdoor space and gardens\",\"detail\":\"Not covered in the published inspection findings. Ask whether the garden is accessible to all, including people with limited mobility, and at what times of day it is open.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"},{\"title\":\"One-to-one activities for people who cannot join groups\",\"detail\":\"Not covered in the published inspection findings. Ask how the home supports someone who is no longer able to participate in group activities, and whether a dedicated member of staff provides individual engagement.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"}]","cqcbc_verdict":"Deer Park Care Home, in Ledbury, was assessed in January 2025 and rated Good across all five inspection domains: safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led. The home is registered to provide nursing care and personal care for up to 64 people, with a specialism in dementia and care for adults over 65. A named registered manager and nominated individual are confirmed in the registration details, indicating a stable leadership structure was in place at the time of inspection.\n\nThe main limitation of this report is that the published inspection text contains very little specific detail: no direct observations from inspectors, no quotes from the people who live there or their families, and no specific examples of how care is delivered day to day. A Good rating is a meaningful baseline, but it tells you that inspectors found no significant concerns rather than giving you a rich picture of life at the home. Before making a decision, visit in person, ask to see last week's actual staffing rota (not a template), sit in on a mealtime, and ask the manager directly about night staffing numbers, dementia training content, and how the home involves families in care reviews.","cqcbc_domain_safe":"{\"found\":\"Deer Park Care Home was rated Good for safety at its January 2025 inspection. The home provides nursing care for up to 64 people, which means qualified nursing staff should be on duty around the clock. Beyond the Good rating itself, the published report does not include specific observations about staffing levels, medicines management, falls recording, or infection control practices. No concerns were raised, but equally no specific evidence is recorded to show exactly how safety is maintained day to day.\",\"quotes\":[],\"family_meaning\":\"A Good Safe rating means inspectors did not find significant safety concerns at the time of their visit. However, our Good Practice evidence base, drawn from 61 studies reviewed by IFF Research and Leeds Beckett University, consistently identifies night staffing as the area where safety most often slips in care homes. The inspection findings do not record how many staff are on duty overnight for 64 beds, which is a gap worth filling before you make a decision. Agency staff reliance is another factor worth exploring: consistent, familiar faces matter enormously for someone with dementia, and a high proportion of agency shifts can undermine the continuity that keeps people safe and calm.\",\"evidence_base\":\"The Good Practice in Dementia Care evidence base (IFF Research and Leeds Beckett University, March 2026) identifies night staffing ratios and agency staff reliance as the two most common safety risks in otherwise well-rated care homes. Neither is addressed in the published inspection findings for this home.\",\"watch_out\":\"Ask the manager to show you the actual staffing rota for the past two weeks, not a template. Count the number of permanent versus agency staff names, and ask specifically how many carers and how many nursing staff are on duty between 10pm and 6am for the 64 beds.\"}","cqcbc_domain_effective":"{\"found\":\"The home was rated Good for effectiveness at its January 2025 inspection. As a registered nursing home with a dementia specialism, the expectation is that care plans, healthcare access, and staff training meet a consistent standard. The published report does not include specific detail about how care plans are written or reviewed, how frequently GPs visit, what dementia training staff have completed, or how food quality and dietary needs are managed. No concerns were raised in this domain.\",\"quotes\":[],\"family_meaning\":\"Effectiveness covers the things that make a practical difference to your parent's daily life: whether their care plan reflects who they actually are (not just their diagnosis), whether a GP is easy to reach, and whether staff have had genuine dementia training rather than just an online module. Our review data shows that families mention healthcare quality in 20.2% of positive reviews and food quality in 20.9%, making these two of the most noticed factors. The Good rating suggests inspectors were satisfied, but without published specifics it is worth asking directly about care plan review frequency and how the home manages complex conditions alongside dementia.\",\"evidence_base\":\"The Good Practice evidence base identifies care plans as living documents that should be updated after any significant change in a person's condition, with families actively involved in reviews. A care plan that has not been updated in three months for someone with advancing dementia is a warning sign regardless of overall rating.\",\"watch_out\":\"Ask to see an anonymised example of a care plan and ask when it was last updated. Then ask how the home tells families when the plan has changed, and who leads the care review meeting.\"}","cqcbc_domain_caring":"{\"found\":\"Deer Park Care Home received a Good rating for caring at its January 2025 inspection. This domain covers how staff treat the people who live there: whether they are kind, whether they protect dignity, whether they respond to distress without rushing, and whether they know people as individuals. The published report does not include any direct observations of staff interactions, no quotes from the people who live there, and no specific examples of how dignity or independence are promoted. The absence of concerns is positive, but the evidence base here is thin.\",\"quotes\":[],\"family_meaning\":\"Staff warmth is the single biggest driver of family satisfaction in our review data, appearing in 57.3% of positive reviews, and compassion and dignity come second at 55.2%. These are the things families notice most and remember longest. The Good Caring rating tells you inspectors did not find poor practice, but it does not tell you whether staff know your parent's preferred name, whether they knock before entering a room, or whether they move without hurry during personal care. These are the observable signals that matter most. Our Good Practice evidence base notes that non-verbal communication matters as much as verbal interaction for people with advanced dementia, and that genuinely person-led care requires staff to know each individual's history, preferences, and communication style.\",\"evidence_base\":\"Good Practice research consistently finds that person-led caring requires staff to know the individual, not just the care plan. Homes where staff can describe a resident's life history, preferences, and communication cues without consulting a file tend to score significantly higher on family satisfaction.\",\"watch_out\":\"When you visit, watch how staff greet the people who live there in corridors and communal areas. Notice whether they use names, whether they crouch to eye level, and whether any interaction feels rushed. Ask one member of staff to tell you something about your parent's prospective neighbour without looking at a file.\"}","cqcbc_domain_responsive":"{\"found\":\"Deer Park Care Home was rated Good for responsiveness at its January 2025 inspection. This domain covers activities, individual engagement, how well the home responds to changing needs, and end-of-life care. The published report does not record any specific activities that take place, any examples of tailored one-to-one engagement, or any information about how the home responds when someone's needs change significantly. No concerns were identified, but no specific positive evidence is recorded either.\",\"quotes\":[],\"family_meaning\":\"A Good Responsive rating is encouraging, but our review data shows activities and engagement appear in 21.4% of positive family reviews, and resident happiness overall appears in 27.1%. Families care deeply about whether their parent has a life at the home, not just a safe one. The Good Practice evidence base is clear that group activities alone are insufficient for people with moderate to advanced dementia: tailored one-to-one engagement, including everyday tasks and sensory activities, produces measurably better wellbeing outcomes. The published findings do not tell you whether this home provides that level of individual attention, so it is worth asking directly.\",\"evidence_base\":\"The Good Practice in Dementia Care evidence base identifies Montessori-based and activity-based approaches, including familiar household tasks, as producing better wellbeing outcomes for people with dementia than passive group activities. Homes that can describe their individual engagement offer (not just the group timetable) are more likely to meet the needs of someone with advancing dementia.\",\"watch_out\":\"Ask the activities coordinator (or the manager if there is no dedicated coordinator) what they would do to engage your parent if your parent could no longer join a group session. Ask for a specific example of one-to-one activity that happened last week for someone living with dementia who cannot participate in groups.\"}","cqcbc_domain_well_led":"{\"found\":\"Deer Park Care Home was rated Good for well-led at its January 2025 inspection. A named registered manager (Lisa Sharon Soper) and a nominated individual are confirmed in the registration records, indicating a clear leadership structure. The home is run by Porthaven Care Homes No 3 Limited. The published report does not include specific observations about management visibility, staff culture, how complaints are handled, or how the home uses feedback to improve. No concerns were raised in this domain.\",\"quotes\":[],\"family_meaning\":\"Our Good Practice evidence base identifies leadership stability as one of the strongest predictors of a home's quality over time. A named, consistent manager who is known to staff and to families is a meaningful positive indicator, and the registration records confirm a named manager was in post at the time of inspection. Communication with families appears in 11.5% of positive reviews in our data, and the quality of that communication often reflects the tone set by the manager. What the published findings do not tell you is how accessible the manager is day to day, how complaints are handled, or whether staff feel able to raise concerns. These are worth exploring directly.\",\"evidence_base\":\"Good Practice research identifies empowered, bottom-up cultures as a marker of sustained quality: homes where staff at all levels feel safe to raise concerns, and where managers are visible on the floor rather than desk-bound, consistently outperform those where accountability is top-down only.\",\"watch_out\":\"Ask the manager how long she has been in post and whether she was in post at the time of the January 2025 inspection. Then ask what the biggest improvement the home has made in the past six months is, and what prompted it. The specificity and honesty of the answer will tell you as much as the answer itself.\"}","cqcbc_ai_generated_date":"2026-05-07 01:04:21","_dcc_cqc_beds":"64","_dcc_cqc_rating_safe":"","_dcc_cqc_rating_effective":"","_dcc_cqc_rating_caring":"","_dcc_cqc_rating_responsive":"","_dcc_cqc_rating_well_led":"","_dcc_cqc_report_date":"","_dcc_cqc_previous_rating":"","_dcc_cqc_trajectory":"","_dcc_cqc_enforcement":"none","_dcc_cqc_api_updated":"2026-06-09 20:01:27","_dcc_web_scan_blocked":"0","_dcc_web_dementia_activities":"0","_dcc_web_staff_training":"0","_dcc_web_fees_info":"0","_dcc_web_activities_programme":"0","_dcc_web_staff_profiles":"0","_dcc_web_photo_gallery":"1","_dcc_web_cqc_link":"1","_dcc_web_dementia_mention_reviews":"1","_dcc_web_scan_updated":"2026-06-09 20:01:29","_dcc_score_p1":"55","_dcc_score_p2":"50","_dcc_score_p3":"56","_dcc_score_p4":"88","_dcc_score_p5":"40","_dcc_composite_score":"57.4","_dcc_score_band":"good","_dcc_score_updated":"2026-06-09 20:01:29","_seopress_titles_title":"Deer Park Care Home – Dementia, Residential, Respite & Nursing Home in Ledbury, Herefordshire","_seopress_titles_desc":"If you live near Ledbury, Herefordshire, Dementia Care Choices walks with you through every stage of Dementia. From the first signs of Dementia to finding the right care home, we help you stay informed and organised throughout,","cqcbc_safe_found":"Deer Park Care Home was rated Good for safety at its January 2025 inspection. The home provides nursing care for up to 64 people, which means qualified nursing staff should be on duty around the clock. Beyond the Good rating itself, the published report does not include specific observations about staffing levels, medicines management, falls recording, or infection control practices. No concerns were raised, but equally no specific evidence is recorded to show exactly how safety is maintained day to day.","cqcbc_safe_family_meaning":"A Good Safe rating means inspectors did not find significant safety concerns at the time of their visit. However, our Good Practice evidence base, drawn from 61 studies reviewed by IFF Research and Leeds Beckett University, consistently identifies night staffing as the area where safety most often slips in care homes. The inspection findings do not record how many staff are on duty overnight for 64 beds, which is a gap worth filling before you make a decision. Agency staff reliance is another factor worth exploring: consistent, familiar faces matter enormously for someone with dementia, and a high proportion of agency shifts can undermine the continuity that keeps people safe and calm.","cqcbc_safe_evidence_base":"The Good Practice in Dementia Care evidence base (IFF Research and Leeds Beckett University, March 2026) identifies night staffing ratios and agency staff reliance as the two most common safety risks in otherwise well-rated care homes. Neither is addressed in the published inspection findings for this home.","cqcbc_safe_watch_out":"Ask the manager to show you the actual staffing rota for the past two weeks, not a template. Count the number of permanent versus agency staff names, and ask specifically how many carers and how many nursing staff are on duty between 10pm and 6am for the 64 beds.","cqcbc_effective_found":"The home was rated Good for effectiveness at its January 2025 inspection. As a registered nursing home with a dementia specialism, the expectation is that care plans, healthcare access, and staff training meet a consistent standard. The published report does not include specific detail about how care plans are written or reviewed, how frequently GPs visit, what dementia training staff have completed, or how food quality and dietary needs are managed. No concerns were raised in this domain.","cqcbc_effective_family_meaning":"Effectiveness covers the things that make a practical difference to your parent's daily life: whether their care plan reflects who they actually are (not just their diagnosis), whether a GP is easy to reach, and whether staff have had genuine dementia training rather than just an online module. Our review data shows that families mention healthcare quality in 20.2% of positive reviews and food quality in 20.9%, making these two of the most noticed factors. The Good rating suggests inspectors were satisfied, but without published specifics it is worth asking directly about care plan review frequency and how the home manages complex conditions alongside dementia.","cqcbc_effective_evidence_base":"The Good Practice evidence base identifies care plans as living documents that should be updated after any significant change in a person's condition, with families actively involved in reviews. A care plan that has not been updated in three months for someone with advancing dementia is a warning sign regardless of overall rating.","cqcbc_effective_watch_out":"Ask to see an anonymised example of a care plan and ask when it was last updated. Then ask how the home tells families when the plan has changed, and who leads the care review meeting.","cqcbc_caring_found":"Deer Park Care Home received a Good rating for caring at its January 2025 inspection. This domain covers how staff treat the people who live there: whether they are kind, whether they protect dignity, whether they respond to distress without rushing, and whether they know people as individuals. The published report does not include any direct observations of staff interactions, no quotes from the people who live there, and no specific examples of how dignity or independence are promoted. The absence of concerns is positive, but the evidence base here is thin.","cqcbc_caring_family_meaning":"Staff warmth is the single biggest driver of family satisfaction in our review data, appearing in 57.3% of positive reviews, and compassion and dignity come second at 55.2%. These are the things families notice most and remember longest. The Good Caring rating tells you inspectors did not find poor practice, but it does not tell you whether staff know your parent's preferred name, whether they knock before entering a room, or whether they move without hurry during personal care. These are the observable signals that matter most. Our Good Practice evidence base notes that non-verbal communication matters as much as verbal interaction for people with advanced dementia, and that genuinely person-led care requires staff to know each individual's history, preferences, and communication style.","cqcbc_caring_evidence_base":"Good Practice research consistently finds that person-led caring requires staff to know the individual, not just the care plan. Homes where staff can describe a resident's life history, preferences, and communication cues without consulting a file tend to score significantly higher on family satisfaction.","cqcbc_caring_watch_out":"When you visit, watch how staff greet the people who live there in corridors and communal areas. Notice whether they use names, whether they crouch to eye level, and whether any interaction feels rushed. Ask one member of staff to tell you something about your parent's prospective neighbour without looking at a file.","cqcbc_responsive_found":"Deer Park Care Home was rated Good for responsiveness at its January 2025 inspection. This domain covers activities, individual engagement, how well the home responds to changing needs, and end-of-life care. The published report does not record any specific activities that take place, any examples of tailored one-to-one engagement, or any information about how the home responds when someone's needs change significantly. No concerns were identified, but no specific positive evidence is recorded either.","cqcbc_responsive_family_meaning":"A Good Responsive rating is encouraging, but our review data shows activities and engagement appear in 21.4% of positive family reviews, and resident happiness overall appears in 27.1%. Families care deeply about whether their parent has a life at the home, not just a safe one. The Good Practice evidence base is clear that group activities alone are insufficient for people with moderate to advanced dementia: tailored one-to-one engagement, including everyday tasks and sensory activities, produces measurably better wellbeing outcomes. The published findings do not tell you whether this home provides that level of individual attention, so it is worth asking directly.","cqcbc_responsive_evidence_base":"The Good Practice in Dementia Care evidence base identifies Montessori-based and activity-based approaches, including familiar household tasks, as producing better wellbeing outcomes for people with dementia than passive group activities. Homes that can describe their individual engagement offer (not just the group timetable) are more likely to meet the needs of someone with advancing dementia.","cqcbc_responsive_watch_out":"Ask the activities coordinator (or the manager if there is no dedicated coordinator) what they would do to engage your parent if your parent could no longer join a group session. Ask for a specific example of one-to-one activity that happened last week for someone living with dementia who cannot participate in groups.","cqcbc_well_led_found":"Deer Park Care Home was rated Good for well-led at its January 2025 inspection. A named registered manager (Lisa Sharon Soper) and a nominated individual are confirmed in the registration records, indicating a clear leadership structure. The home is run by Porthaven Care Homes No 3 Limited. The published report does not include specific observations about management visibility, staff culture, how complaints are handled, or how the home uses feedback to improve. No concerns were raised in this domain.","cqcbc_well_led_family_meaning":"Our Good Practice evidence base identifies leadership stability as one of the strongest predictors of a home's quality over time. A named, consistent manager who is known to staff and to families is a meaningful positive indicator, and the registration records confirm a named manager was in post at the time of inspection. Communication with families appears in 11.5% of positive reviews in our data, and the quality of that communication often reflects the tone set by the manager. What the published findings do not tell you is how accessible the manager is day to day, how complaints are handled, or whether staff feel able to raise concerns. These are worth exploring directly.","cqcbc_well_led_evidence_base":"Good Practice research identifies empowered, bottom-up cultures as a marker of sustained quality: homes where staff at all levels feel safe to raise concerns, and where managers are visible on the floor rather than desk-bound, consistently outperform those where accountability is top-down only.","cqcbc_well_led_watch_out":"Ask the manager how long she has been in post and whether she was in post at the time of the January 2025 inspection. Then ask what the biggest improvement the home has made in the past six months is, and what prompted it. The specificity and honesty of the answer will tell you as much as the answer itself.","pp_cqc_url":"https:\/\/www.cqc.org.uk\/location\/1-12470851149"}

The home specialises in caring for adults over 65, with particular expertise in dementia support. Respite stays require a minimum seven-day booking, allowing time for proper settling-in and care planning.

Management & ethos

Staff consistency shines through in how they handle both planned activities and spontaneous moments of care. Families describe seamless communication during the assessment process and appreciate how the team remembers preferences across multiple stays. The home coordinates smoothly with external healthcare professionals and support groups, creating a collaborative approach that families find reassuring.

The home & environment

DCC does not edit or curate content in this tab. For independently curated information, see The Evidence and DCC Verdict.